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# Holiday Gifts Under $40 for Musicians and Entertainment Pros
- URL: https://www.backstagecircle.com/holiday-gifts-under-40/
- Published: 2026-11-06T22:23:16.000Z
- Updated: 2026-11-06T22:23:16.000Z
- Description: You don't need a big budget to make a musician or crew member happy. Here are thoughtful, useful holiday gifts that won't break the bank.
- Author: Maureen Jack
- Tags: Music, Advice

Some of the best gifts I've ever received in this business cost almost nothing. A roll of good tape when I'd run out. A pack of strings before a big show. A thoughtful note from someone I'd worked with.

When it comes to musicians and the crew behind them, useful beats expensive every time. Here are gift ideas that are easy on the budget and genuinely appreciated. Prices vary by brand and retailer, so check before you buy, but most of these can be found for under $40.

## Stocking stuffers

Small, inexpensive and always useful.

- **Guitar picks.** A variety pack lets a player find a new favourite.
- **A set of strings.** Find out which gauge and type they use first.
- **Gaffer tape.** Every musician and crew member uses it, and nobody ever has enough.
- **Reusable cable ties.** A simple fix for tangled cords and messy cases.
- **A pocket notebook.** For set lists, show notes, lyrics and ideas.
- **Quality socks.** Long days on your feet make this a surprisingly welcome gift.

## Practical favourites

Everyday tools that make gigs and rehearsals easier.

- **A pair of drumsticks.** Drummers go through them constantly.
- **A capo.** A handy addition for guitarists, even if they already own one.
- **A clip-on tuner.** Small, inexpensive and always in demand.
- **Musician's earplugs.** Protect their hearing without muffling the music.
- **A headlamp.** Perfect for dark stages and late-night load-outs.

## Road and comfort

For anyone who spends a lot of time travelling for work.

- **A portable battery pack.** Phones die at the worst moments on the road.
- **An insulated water bottle or travel mug.** For hot stages and early mornings.
- **A travel pillow and eye mask.** For catching sleep in vans, airports and hotel lobbies.
- **A compact cable organizer.** Keeps chargers and adapters from becoming a tangled mess.

## Something personal

- **Clothing that celebrates their role.** A shirt or hat that shows pride in being the drummer, the engineer or the crew is a gift people actually wear.
- **A music book.** A biography of an artist they admire, or a book on the craft or the business.
- **Tickets to a local show.** Smaller venues often have great nights out at a modest price.
- **A gift card.** When in doubt, let them choose exactly what they need.

## The gift that costs nothing

Don't overlook the simplest gift of all: a sincere thank-you. Tell your bandmates, your sound engineer, your crew or your favourite local musician what their work means to you. Write it down. People in this business keep those notes for years.

## The bottom line

You don't need to spend a lot to give a musician or entertainment pro something they'll love. Pick something useful, add something personal, and show them you understand what they do.

It's the thought, and the gaffer tape, that counts.